Surrounded by the scenic landscapes of Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado, there exists a culinary gem that not only tantalizes the taste buds but also offers a front-row visual feast. This restaurant, aptly named Grand View, stands as a testament to the harmonious marriage of food and the earth.

Photos courtesy of Garden of the Gods Resort and Club

Located inside Garden of the Gods Resort & Club, Grand View recently underwent a massive renovation to update the interior with contemporary design elements. The floor-to-ceiling windows framing the acclaimed national landmark’s red
rock formations are as captivating as ever. But, guests will now find new oak wood flooring, the use of organic materials such as stone, leather and copper, and twinkling chandeliers to remind them of the fine dining experience that awaits them. Plus, one of the most exciting additions to the space is the onyx bar. Imported from Turkey, the gently illuminated stone provides an ambient glow — the ideal setting for enjoying a craft cocktail, mocktail or good conversation.

Grand View is one of four on-site eateries at Garden of the Gods Resort & Club. The menu emphasizes locally-sourced, farm-to-table dishes. “At our resort, we love curating wellness into our menus,” says chef Kelley McCann. “There is intention behind every ingredient we use for our dishes.”

Items like the wagyu are sourced directly from Cross Creek Ranch in southwest Colorado, while the organic produce in dishes like the vegan watermelon steak is from Frost Family Farms, located less than 30 miles from the restaurant. Whether one chooses to imbibe on wine, beer or spirits, any pour in front of Garden of the Gods makes for a night worth remembering.

Additionally, Grand View is also open for breakfast and lunch with a variety of options for health-conscious guests to choose from. The warrior pudding has pepitas that provide protein and iron, chia which offers omega-three fatty acids and are great for the heart, blueberries that are a natural antioxidant and almonds which are a great source of fiber and vitamin E.

“Each ingredient that goes into these meals offers nutritional value,” McCann explains. “We use this thought process across all our brunch, lunch and dinner menus — from the kale salad on our lunch menu providing an excellent non-dairy source of calcium to the watermelon steak we offer on our dinner menu containing an abundance of antioxidants and vitamins C and E. Our variety of wellness dishes allow guests to enjoy a nutritional meal on vacation without having to sacrifice their health journey.

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Now open to guests outside the resort, Grand View feels like a hidden gem worth the splurge.
gardenofthegodsresort.com

Originally published in Winter + Spring 2023-24 issue of Well.